While there may not be any great football teams in the area as of yet (see last week’s column), the same cannot be said for volleyball.

We have two at least.

They are 2-A East Duplin (16-0) and 3-A Swansboro (15-1) – and 3-A Jacksonville (14-4) could still shove its way into the mix before it’s all over.

Beyond that, even the teams that aren’t great – by which I mean have a shot at winning the state championship – seem to have one or two (or more) standout players, ranging from the Southwest duo of Taylor Marley and Amanda McCurry to White Oak’s Emily McClain as well as Dixon’s Corkie Aquafredda and Carly Rochelle.

For now, however, let’s focus on the teams, starting with the Panthers and coach Liz Turner, who has molded her group into a team that is not only undefeated but has yet to be taken to five sets.

And unless something surprising happens the Panthers should finish the regular season unbeaten.

Moreover, East Duplin has beaten perennial 1-A power Pender twice in four sets and handed 3-A Swansboro its only loss – in three sets in a victory that was almost flawless. If the Panthers continue to play like that, they could be headed to Raleigh with a shot at the state title.

East Duplin has no glaring weakness.

They have big hitters (Makayla Byrd and Amber Hall) at the net along with Jami White, Kendall Lego and Morgan Sanderson, who seem to fill several roles all over the floor. And, of course, they have libero Carson Williams, who was The Daily News 2012 player of the year.

Then there’s Swansboro.

On the face of it, the Pirates would seem every bit the equal of East Duplin, but the Panthers dispatched with ease their one-time East Central 2-A Conference foe. But Swansboro is now 3-A under statewide realignment, meaning other than some bruised pride the loss didn’t hurt the Pirates.

Swansboro seems to have few weaknesses.

Up front, the Pirates boast hard-hitting Ashley Oriol and Kylie Cleve, who when she isn’t high jumping for the track team uses her jumping ability to block shots and make life generally miserable at the net for opponents’ top hitters.

Senior setter Bailey Rabidou routinely does it all while Kim Moore, Megan Malone and Kasey Sines contribute with big hits and digs while doing a solid job of covering the floor defensively.

Both teams, however, face a couple obstacles, starting with themselves.

Both Turner and her counterpart at Swansboro, Kim Miller, have noted at various times that their teams seem to lack energy and intensity. After beating Dixon 3-1 on Wednesday, Miller said there were times playing seemed like a “chore” for her Pirates.

Page 2 of 2 - It wasn’t that they didn’t play hard or want to win, but at times the games themselves didn’t seem enjoyable.

The other obstacle is on the other side of the net. Perhaps more than most sports, one big-time player can give a volleyball team that otherwise isn’t as good a real chance to win. So if East Duplin or Swansboro runs up against a team with a major NCAA Division I prospect, a trip to Raleigh for the state finals could be in jeopardy.

Other than East Duplin and Swansboro, we have a number of solid teams in the area – some, like Dixon, make me scratch my (hairless) head. The Bulldogs look like they have the potential to be really good at times and then there are times when they don’t.

But one team still intrigues me and that’s Jacksonville.

The Cardinals could be the area’s dark horse in the playoffs. They have a solid frontline behind Cassie Padilla, Rachelle Byes, Kayla Malu and Brittany Ochs as well as Keenan Marks, whose nickname ought to be “The Sneaky Setter” given how when the notion strikes her instead of setting the ball on a second hit she will pop it over the net, leaving opponents to wonder what the heck just happened as the ball falls to the floor for a point.

And then there’s Dani Hayden. There seems to be two (or three) or her on the court at once given her ubiquitousness.

And, in case you missed it, Jacksonville plays host to Swansboro tonight on senior night with a chance to hand the Pirates their first Coastal 3-A Conference loss and possibly earn a share of the league title as the regular season nears an end.

It should be an interesting night at The Bird Cage.

Sports editor Rick Scoppe can be reached via email at rick.scoppe@jdnews.com or by calling 910-219-8471